Summary

Ovarifert contains many nutrients which are scientifically proven to help women with PCOS, specifically myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol and is overall good value for money.

For a complete range of pre-pregnancy nutrients we suggest taking Ovarifert in combination with Fertil F, omega-3 from fish or algae, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) at a combined cost of £2 per day.

How does Ovarifert help with PCOS?

Ovarifert by amitamin® is a dietary supplement for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a common health condition. Ovarifert has been specially formulated to support ovulation in women with PCOS.

One of the main effects of PCOS is that it causes problems with ovulation, which results in irregular periods. PCOS can also result in women having multiple ‘cysts’ on their ovaries and a hormonal imbalance.

The hormones typically affected are male hormones, which are present in women and include testosterone. The levels of these hormones are higher than usual in women with PCOS.

Women do not need to have all of these features to be diagnosed with PCOS, and the symptoms can drastically vary between women. The most common symptoms include fertility problems, excess unwanted hair growth and weight gain.

Causes of PCOS

The exact cause of PCOS is not clear. However scientists have found that fertility problems in PCOS are the result of a number of key factors.

These include raised insulin levels and insulin resistance (for more information on why this affects female fertility, please see ALA below). In addition to this, the excess levels of male hormones can interfere with normal ovulation in women with PCOS.

Ovarifert is tailored to address these problems and therefore improve female fertility. There is no cure for PCOS but Ovarifert aims to support ovulation and successful conception in women affected by PCOS.

How does Ovarifert work?

Ovarifert contains a number of nutrients which have been investigated by scientists, and there is evidence supporting their use in women with PCOS. These are not hormones and are safe to use as they are classed as food products.

Click on each of the main therapeutic components of Ovarifert to find out more:

Myo-inositol

Scientists have studied myo-inositol and they have found that it can improve fertility in PCOS patients by restoring normal ovulation 1. It can also reduce the levels of insulin and male hormones in the body 2.

Therefore it is not surprising that many PCOS supplements contain this compound. However not all of them contain sufficient quantities of myo-inositol to actually have an effect. Generally it is recommended to take 2000mg- 4000mg of myo-inositol per day to experience any improvement in PCOS symptoms.

Ovarifert contains 2000mg of myo-inositol per daily dose, which is at the lower end of the recommended range. Nevertheless scientists have found that this amount can still have positive effects in women with PCOS, particularly in terms of fertility 3. It is also important to consider that there are many other PCOS supplements available which contain far less myo-inositol than Ovarifert.

D-chiro-inositol

Our bodies naturally produce both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol. With the help of an enzyme, the body converts myo-inositol into D-chiro-inositol. D-chiro-inositol helps to restore hormonal balance and improve fertility in PCOS.

Clinical studies have shown that increasing the intake of inositol in supplements can have beneficial effects in PCOS. Some studies have used 4000mg per day of myo-inositol, and they have reported improved fertilisation rates for IVF 4. Additionally, scientists found that including both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol in supplementation resulted in a greater beneficial effect in PCOS patients than myo-inositol alone 56.

This is because D-chiro-inositol works in combination with myo-inositol, so that it reduces the amount of myo-inositol needed to have an effect in the body. It can also encourage the beneficial effects due to myo-inositol to occur at a faster rate.

Despite this, many PCOS supplements only include myo-inositol and not D-chiro-inositol. Ovarifert is one of the few PCOS supplements which contain both of these forms of inositol.

Ovarifert contains 250mg of D-chiro-inositol per daily dose. Research into this nutrient is ongoing, but scientists have already found an improvement in fertility using a much lower dose of 27.6mg of D-chiro-inositol in women with PCOS 7. Therefore the amount of D-chiro-inositol in Ovarifert is likely to have a therapeutic effect in PCOS in combination with myo-inositol.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)

Alpha-lipoic acid, or ALA, is an antioxidant. It can help to improve insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS.

Insulin is important for blood glucose control. The pancreas produces insulin when blood glucose levels rise after a meal. Insulin signals the cells in the body to take in glucose and use it as energy. However women with PCOS typically tend to have higher insulin levels and this causes their cells to become less sensitive to it.

This develops into insulin resistance, where higher levels of this hormone are needed to have any effect in the body. But higher levels of insulin can interfere with fertility, as it can cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone than usual. Testosterone can interfere with the follicles in the ovaries, which in turn hinders normal ovulation.

Scientists investigating alpha-lipoic acid have found that it can improve insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS 8. But Ovarifert only contains 150mg of alpha-lipoic acid per daily dose. Studies have found improvements in insulin sensitivity using higher doses of 1200mg of alpha-lipoic acid 9.

Therefore it is not clear whether the amount of alpha lipoic acid in Ovarifert is enough to have an effect in women with PCOS. It does, however, include the highest amount of ALA of all the PCOS supplements we researched on the market.

Betaine

Homocysteine is an amino acid which is present in high levels in women with PCOS. It increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases including heart attacks and strokes and it is also linked with high insulin levels in PCOS patients.

Additionally, high levels of homocysteine are related to an increased likelihood of suffering from a miscarriage 10. However research suggests that betaine may help to lower the levels of homocysteine in the blood 11.

Pine bark extract

Pine bark extract can help to control blood glucose and manage metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of high blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal triglyceride levels which all increase the risk of developing heart disease and other problems which affect blood vessels.

Women with PCOS are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. However pine bark extract can help to reduce features of metabolic syndrome including waist circumference and blood pressure 12.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help to support ovulation in women. It can also help to lower cholesterol levels 13 which are commonly a problem in patients with PCOS.

Vitamin E

Scientists have found that vitamin E can help to improve insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS. Additionally it can reduce testosterone levels, which in turn supports normal ovulation 14.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D can help to reduce insulin resistance 15. Scientists have also studied its effects in infertile women with PCOS and they found that it can improve follicle development and menstrual regularity 16. Additionally vitamin D is important in protecting against problems during pregnancy 17.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 can help to reduce insulin resistance and homocysteine levels 18. Furthermore a deficiency in vitamin B12 can lead to miscarriages and infertility 19. Therefore it is particularly important to ensure sufficient levels of vitamin B12 when you are trying to conceive.

How and when should you take Ovarifert?

The daily dose of Ovarifert consists of four tablets. The manufacturer amitamin® recommends taking the daily dose in one sitting without splitting up the dose throughout the day in order to maximise the beneficial effects.

Additionally you should take Ovarifert either with or before a meal. Each box contains 120 capsules and it will provide enough capsules for 30 days.

amitamin® recommends taking Ovarifert for an extended period of time to gain the full benefit. They advise customers to use Ovarifert for a minimum of three months, or until they are able to conceive.

This is because the quantities of the nutrients are low enough to have a gradual and safe effect on the body. Altering the hormonal balance in the body can be difficult as the body can compensate for changes in nutrient intake. Therefore it takes time to improve this balance and ensure that the benefits last long enough to enable successful conception.

Click the button to read the comparison of the best male fertility supplements

How much does Ovarifert cost?

The price of amitamin® Ovarifert decreases as you buy more boxes of the product. For two boxes (two months’ supply) the cost is £34.95 per box, and for three boxes (three months’ supply) the cost is £29.95 per box. Shipping is free for customers in the UK and many other countries.

You can buy amitamin® Ovarifert from registered pharmacies, or directly online here.

Advantages of Ovarifert

Scientifically proven nutrients

Ovarifert contains nutrients which have been shown to have a positive effect in scientific studies in women with PCOS. These include myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol and alpha-lipoic acid.

Safety

The nutrients in Ovarifert are classed as food substances, not hormones. This is why Ovarifert is available without prescription and it is safe to use.

Variety of nutrients

Ovarifert contains a wide variety of nutrients which can help women with PCOS. These include both forms of inositol, ALA and various vitamins. The nutrient combination in Ovarifert is broader than many other supplements available on the market, such as Ovasitol which only contains both forms of inositol.

Value for money

Ovarifert is excellent value for money compared to other PCOS supplements, especially given the variety and doses of nutrients it contains. The supplements we researched were priced between £20-£60 per month. At £29.95 per month, Ovarifert is one of the more reasonably priced products on the market.

Dietary restrictions

Ovarifert is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. It is also gluten-free and sugar-free.

Ethically responsible

There is no animal testing involved in the production of Ovarifert. Additionally it contains no preservatives, fillers or artificial flavours.

Disadvantages of Ovarifert

Myo-inositol

Ovarifert contains the minimum recommended amount of 2000mg of myo-inositol in its daily dose. Other PCOS supplements such as MyOva do contain 4000mg of myo-inositol per day at a similar price. MyOva, however, does not include D-chiro-inositol, nor any ALA or vitamins. Furthermore the amount of myo-inositol in Ovarifert is still enough to have a beneficial effect in women with PCOS.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)

The amount of alpha-lipoic acid in Ovarifert is less than the quantities studied in a number of clinical trials. However it is important to bear in mind that Ovarifert does include the highest amount of alpha-lipoic acid of all the products researched.

Other nutrients

Ovarifert does not contain a number of other compounds which also have evidence supporting their use in PCOS patients, in particular omega-3 and N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

Practical considerations

You will need to take four capsules of Ovarifert every day. This requires some commitment, especially if you are not used to taking tablets. Unfortunately there is not a liquid option either, but there is an alternative to swallowing the capsules. You can open the capsules to consume the contents without the shell. Additionally there is the option of taking Ovarifert with water or juice depending on your taste preferences.

Verdict

There are a huge number of supplements available on the market for women with PCOS. These contain a range of different ingredients, but Ovarifert combines the ingredients with the strongest scientific evidence supporting their use into one product.

There are other products available which contain a greater number of nutrients in higher quantities, but at a much higher cost. Overall Ovarifert is excellent value for money. It is much cheaper to spend £1 per day on nutrient supplements than thousands of pounds on hormone and other fertility treatments.

OUR RECOMMENDATION:

Use Ovarifert by amitamin® for at least three months to improve your fertility. Remember to ask your GP’s advice for any other methods to maximise your chances of conceiving and check that any other medicines you take will not interact with Ovarifert.

If you are actively trying to conceive we would recommend adding a pre-pregnancy supplement with folate, as well as omega-3 and NAC.

Both of these are included in some other supplement products such as Fertilovit F PCOS by Fertilovit (click here for more details). However, Fertilovit F PCOS is also double the price of Ovarifert. It is therefore more cost-effective to take omega-3 and NAC separately. Make sure you consume a minimum dose of 3g per day of omega-3, and 1g per day of NAC.

In summary: we would recommend taking the following products together for a full spectrum pre-pregnancy nutrient supply.

• Ovarifert
• Amitamin Fertil F
• Omega-3 from fish or algae if you prefer a vegan product [note]if you live outside the UK, please search for similar products online or ask your local pharmacist[/note].
• NAC[note]if you live outside the UK, please search for similar products online or ask your local pharmacist[/note]

The combination of the above four products will statistically increase female fertility at a cost of approximately £2 per day. Keep in mind that fertility treatment costs at fertility clinics are significantly higher.